The Trump administration made a controversial final pitch to voters on Election Day, arguing that rising prices are beneficial for the economy. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins claimed that high prices for commodities like corn, wheat, and cotton would lead to record exports this year. However, this assertion was met with skepticism, as corn exports have actually decreased compared to previous years, and economic theory suggests that higher prices typically reduce demand.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed this sentiment on Fox Business, stating that high prices were a natural outcome of capitalism and would ultimately increase supply. He argued, "Prices are high. The best cure for high prices is high prices. It grows supply." Critics pointed out that while high prices might incentivize production, they also make it harder for consumers to afford goods, leading to a decline in overall economic activity.
The administration also announced unprecedented election monitoring efforts, deploying approximately 1,000 monitors across all 50 states to ensure compliance with federal election statutes. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon described this as the largest monitoring effort in DOJ history, aimed at promoting transparency. However, some election officials expressed concerns that this could intimidate voters and suppress turnout, particularly in Democratic strongholds and contested districts.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., a man previously pardoned by President Trump for threats related to the January 6 Capitol riot, was recently charged again for making threats against federal judges. Meredith's social media posts, which included violent rhetoric and QAnon conspiracy theories, drew the attention of federal agents. This case highlights the ongoing legal troubles faced by some individuals involved in the Capitol insurrection, with at least 97 of them having been arrested for various crimes post-pardon.
In unrelated news, Representative Haley Stevens of Michigan faced media scrutiny over her endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers. When questioned by reporters, Stevens avoided direct answers, instead emphasizing the importance of voting and referencing an 890-word AI-assisted plea she had published earlier.